Almond hull and/or shell absorbent and method of use

Abstract

An absorbent meal is provided which is formed of ground up almond hull and almond shell. The almond hull and almond shell can be residue of an almond fruit extraction process. A spontaneous combustion inhibitor is optionally added to the absorption meal. Particle size for the absorption meal is less than about 5 mm. In one embodiment, the absorbent meal is greater than about 15% almond shell before any spontaneous combustion inhibitor is added.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for addressing a liquid spill, including the steps of:
 transporting an absorbent meal to a liquid spill location, the absorbent meal comprising almond hull and almond shell components and a spontaneous combustion inhibitor selected from the group consisting of sodium nitrate, sodium chloride, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, calcium chloride, ammonium chloride, sodium acetate, and potassium chloride; and 
 applying the absorbent meal to the liquid spill to have at least a portion of the liquid absorbed into the absorbent meal. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the almond shell comprises greater than about 15% of the absorbent meal. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein particle size for the absorbent meal is less than about 5 mm.